Lessons Learned from Putting Grantees First
Edward W. Hazen Foundation
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Reframing the conversation about opioid addiction and treatment
Overview
Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS) is a non-profit organization that provides healing-centered substance use treatment and outreach that puts people first. Since 1973, their interdisciplinary staff have been dedicated to serving people on their terms with recovery support services. ETS offers medications for opioid use disorder at three clinics in King and Thurston Counties and four mobile clinics.
Challenge
People in the US are dying of opioid overdoses in record numbers. Yet in the midst of this crisis, providers of medications for opioid use disorder – the most effective form of treatment for people with addiction – face significant challenges. Resistance to this type of treatment stems from common misconceptions about opioid addiction including preconceived notions about why people use and who those people are. In addition, community members – business owners, police officers, homeowners – may recognize the effectiveness of treatment, but often do not want clinics in their neighborhoods, stemming from unfounded fears that a clinic will drive up crime and draw people who use drugs to their neighborhoods.
Work
Using data from various expert sources and the personal stories of ETS patients and staff, Minerva develops collateral materials to educate people about opioid use disorders and to help them get to know the brave people who face this condition daily. These materials include website content, a variety of print materials for public events, video profiles of patients, and blogs for sharing their work and the stories of the people they serve.
In addition to developing effective materials, we have worked to ensure the media sees ETS as an expert resource on Washington’s opioid challenge. This relationship building has resulted in several thoughtful pieces on ETS over the last three years, including several pieces on KUOW (local NPR affiliate), interviews on the local NBC affiliate, King 5, opinion pieces in The Seattle Times, and a place on panels at media-led public talks.
Result
Evergreen Treatment Services faces a significant uphill battle in the years to come. Despite this administration’s claim to provide more help to communities ravaged by opioid use, support for the most effective treatment available is lacking, particularly for those who need public funding. With our continued support, Evergreen Treatment Services is armed with the tools needed to garner the political and financial backing necessary to continue their life-saving work in Western Washington.
Minerva Strategies is a joy to work with. Their smart planning and effective execution have brought us into the 21st century, helping us to develop a platform that resonates and informs.
Tavia Rhodes
VP of Philanthropy and Communications